LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Ryan Lillie (Ocean, NJ/Ocean Township) fired a complete game shutout in his first career start as Monmouth shutout Rider in the second game of a doubleheader Sunday, 8-0 to earn a split on the day. Rider took the opening game 11-4.|

Lillie retired 17 in a row after turning a double play for the first two outs in the second inning, not allowing a baserunner until there were two outs in the seventh. He faced the minimum in five of the seven innings, and allowed just two runners past first base. MU put together a six-run fourth inning to widen the lead to 8-0, doing so on just three hits. The Hawks got an RBI single from Zach Schild (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) and scored on a sacrifice fly, two bases loaded walks, a hit by pitch with the bases full and a wild pitch.

The Hawks got on the board with a pair of third inning runs, getting a sac fly off the bat of Dan Shea (Wilmington, DE/Salesianum) and an RBI single from Pete Papcun (Brick, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) to take a 2-0 lead.

Monmouth held a 4-2 lead in the first game, scoring runs in three separate innings to take the lead. Rider put together a four-run seventh helped by a pair of MU errors to go up 6-4, and extended the lead to 11-4 with five runs in the ninth. Nick Margevicius tossed a complete game for Rider.

NOTES AND QUOTES
“Ryan was outstanding. He had several pitches working and did a great job keeping them off balance. He has thrown well lately and came through when we needed a spark.” – head coach Dean Ehehalt on Ryan Lillie's performance

“It was very important to bounce back in Game Two. Along with some other teams, we are fighting for a playoff spot. We responded nicely and need to keep moving forward.” – Ehehalt on the Game Two win

“Pete Papcun and Grant Lamberton swung the bats well all day. We strung some quality at bats in a row together in our big inning, and Zach Schild also had a nice game.” – Ehehalt on the offensive day

-The second game win marked Monmouth's third shutout win and first since March 25 vs. Quinnipiac.
-Ryan Lillie fired a complete game three-hit shutout in his first career start.
-It marked Monmouth's second complete game shutout of the season (Kyle Ajjan at Siena)
-The three hits allowed is the second lowest for an MU opponent this season, and least since Ajjan allowed two to Siena on 4/8.
-Grant Lamberton had three hits in each game, his first two three-hit games of the season and first since 5/11/16 at Saint Joseph's.
-Zach Schild added two hits in the second game and has now had multi-hit games in his last three starts.


NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Joe Molettiere threw 5.1 effective innings in the opener, allowing just two runs.
-Rider's Nick Margevicius threw a complete game in the opener.
-Pete Papcun had two hits in each game.
-MU outhit Rider 10-3 in the second game.

UP NEXT
-The Hawks and Broncs wrap up the three-game set tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

LILLIE'S COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT PROPELS MONMOUTH BASEBALL TO SPLIT AT RIDER